St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-11-03
Bnt she didn,t seem to- ret tired. ON

the contrary, she took to making regu.
lar trips, taking along first one person
and then another, until the conductors
got to looking as grum as bears and
even the firemen and enjineers scowl-
ed or LATED every time she put in an
appearance.
One enjineer used to let off fearful
screech o. the b'iler whenever he seed
her coming; but after the first scare,
she got used to it, and tuck no notice.
And once, when she was late, and
the conductor started the train jest as
she and Lucindy Parks was about
climbing aboard, she threatened to sue
the company if it happened agin.
They knew she'd keep her word, SO
they was obliged to be on their good
behavior to her.
So she kept it mp all the first year or
two. Her way was to get aboard with
her female companion, whoever it
might be for the time, and jest fixed
herself comfortable near the stove OF
at window, 'cOrding as twas summer
or winter, and thar set and knit the
whole journey through.
She'd carry one woman up, maybe,
and bring another down and at last
it came out that she was maxim a reg
ular business of it, with folks that
wanted to visit the town or country,
they paying her half or quarter the
regular fare, on what was passed of
on the railroad folks for free trip.
The company interfered then, and
said something about stopping it by
law; but she lowed they hadn't stip-
erlated bout any business matters O.
hern, and she was keeping to the let
ter of the agreement.
Then they tried to buy her off, but
she said she was satisfied as things
was and wanted no change. Still it
was clear that she was not only max
ing money for herself, but keeping the
company out of it.
There was one enjineer named Wells
on one of the trains, and bimeby,
when this had been going Oh a matter
of four or five years, Betsey Ann Sim
cOe noticed that he had always touch
ed his cap and looked at her in soft
spOoney sort o. way whenever lie seed
her.
One day, when she was standing Oh
the bank, he flung a bOkey of pinks
and bachelor buttons to her feet, and
another time pitched her Il pound o.
candy.
Then he handed her a newspaper
with some verses in it marked with
Notwithstanding about his heart
being captivated by lady "over the
way" that he had never spoke to and
at last came letter, saying as how
he'd been interested in her ever sence
he'd seen her so often on the cars, and
he was sure she would make him the
good, clever, sensible wife he'd always
wanted, if she could only bring herself
to fancy him as he did her.
Well, she answered the letter, and a
meeting was fixed; but meantime one
O. the railroad chaps stepped in and
told her that Wells was getting so dis
sipated that the company talked of
discharging him, but that she might
be able to save him by stiperlating
that she'd marry him on condition that
he'd give up going to barrooms.
He considered of it and said he
would if she'd give up her railroad
travellin' and stay at home and make
it comfortable for him and her.
So they both put it down in black
and white, and got witnesses to it, and
took oath to keep their words, and
then they were married.
Of course Betsy Ann Wells stayed
at home now, and set about doing all
she could to make it pleasant for her
husband. She had plenty of time to
do it in, for he didn't make his appear
ance there once a month skeersely
and at last she found out that it was
all put up job of the cOmpany's, who
had bribed Wells with 5000 to marry
al nd off for
He was reckless sort of chap, but
not bad, and had always been as sober
and free from bar-rOOms as a judge.
Betsey Ann was awful cut up when
she found it all out, for she'd set her
heart on him, as old maids are apt to
set their hearts on the first man that
purtends to keer for 'em.
She didn't say nOthin', even to Lu-
cindy Parks, but went right along do
ing the best she could to make it
pleasant for her husband whenever he
came to see her.
And at last, when he met with an
accident from collision on the road
and had to be laid up for weeks before
he got we'll again, she had him home
from the hospital and nursed him as
tender as mother does her ailing
baby.
And would you believe it, in time
she brought that man round to be
ashamed of the trick he'd played her,
md to be jest as steady and easy go
ng husband as any in CrOss-Keys
Betsey Ann never went on the rails,
except once or twice with her husband,
paying her own fare.
And once she told the conductor |
hat spite of everything the company
lad done, she'd got the best of the
good husband and money
enough to keep him and her comfort
lble for life Susie Archer Weiss.